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This Is Me--2019 A to Z Theme

The Challenge of 2019 was the 10th! Since this was kind of a milestone year for A to Z my theme was a retrospective of sorts, looking at my 10 years as a blogger as well as ruminations about my life as it is and as I hope it yet can be. I've got places to be and people to see along the way. Hope you'll join me for this part of my journey...

Always a work in progress--welcome to my blog.

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Thursday, April 4, 2013

Disaster Films

The films that I'll be listing in my April postings will not necessarily be films that I'd call my favorite films, but they will be favorites in the genres I'll be naming. The A to Z genres are very specific micro genres as opposed to the broader genres like action, romance, or comedy.Disaster FilmsI'm a real sucker for disaster films. The more action, the better the disaster experience is for me, but sometimes it's the story that impacts me the most and in those cases I may not need to have the special effects. I hope I never have to experience any disasters in real life, but I'll gladly take a movie version for entertainment sake. My first disaster film was Godzilla in 1955. I was five at the time and fascinated by the destruction of Tokyo. Disaster films have always seemed to be a mainstay of the movie industry so I guess I'm not the only one who likes this sort of thing. In the past few decades the effects have become so much more realistic that it's sometimes almost as though we are seeing the real thing. For me it becomes easy to let go and suspend disbelief for the disaster movie experience.Here are a few disaster films that I've enjoyed (no earthquake films--those come tomorrow):

Dante's Peak (1997) -- I thought the opening scenes were very effective, but it became especially exciting to see a devastating volcano occurring right here in the United States. Decent effects with an exciting story.

Deep Impact (1998) or Armageddon (1998) -- Similar type movies released in the same year, take your pick or if you're like me take 'em both. Who doesn't want to see a big rock from outer space collide with Earth to create utter havoc?

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961) -- This older film is not particularly big on effects, but is more thoughtful as it focuses on story and acting. This is one of my favorite films. It's probably one of the earliest films that addresses the concept of global warming. I love the ending of this film--so fiftyish.

The Day After Tomorrow (2004) -- A more recent global warming movie and possibly one of Al Gore's favorites. Heavy on CGI (computer effects) there is a lot of visual fun in this one. Big floods. I like to see big floods.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972) --I read the book and saw the movie. This is the original and not the more recent remake, which I missed but heard was not all that great. A ship turned upside down and a group of people has to escape by climbing up to the hull. Lots of cool fun and excitement with a dynamite cast.

Titanic (1997) -- This oft told story hit true mega blockbuster status when it came out and remains a favorite of many. Very fine special effects.

2012 (2009) -- This is a big favorite of mine. Totally stupid, outrageous, unrealistic (in concept), and nonsensical. Disaster movies don't get much better than this in nonstop action and very fine CGI effects. This is like one of those virtual reality rides at an amusement park. In fact I wouldn't mind at all taking this ride although a couple of hours of this kind of intensity could be pretty wearying. Great fun nevertheless.

Got any favorites in this bunch? Do you like disaster movies? What are some you would have included?

87 comments:

Never thought of Titanic as a disaster film, but it is the best movie you listed. Dante's Peak was a really good film. Very underrated.2012 was the ultimate disaster film. Only way to top it is to destroy the galaxy.Since you listed it as a disaster film, I'd have to say Godzilla was also my first one!

would you consider, the day the earth stood still? i love those movies... earthquake, the towering inferno... to localized... or the day the world collided, invasion of the body snatchers... day of the triffids.

I really enjoyed Titanic, but for the most part I am not a big disaster films watcher. At first when you said disaster films--I thought you were going to talk about films that were a disaster or flop (funny me).Kids Math Teacher

I immediately thought of Titanic and was hoping you'd list it so I could make my comment on it. You did, yay! I feel cruel saying this because it was based on a true story (although the storyline within wasn't), but I just kept waiting for the ship to hit the iceberg. Wasn't that like 1.5hrs into the movie? I didn't expect the love story.

I hope that doesn't make me sound like a mean person. Although, if we're all stating that we like disaster movies...

It's the entertainment value! Great theme! Thanks for coming up with such an awesome challenge!

It's weird to say, I enjoy disaster, but I do, as long as it's on a big screen, not real life. I loved Dante's Peak and have seen all but one of the films on your list. I'll have to rectify that. Jenn @Scribbles From Jenn

I love disaster movies, they scare me and fascinate me at the same time. The first disaster movie I saw ever was the Scyscraper fire movie, can't remember the name of it. Most of the aren't so good, but some are really well done. I loved Day after tomorrow.

My brother is a huge disaster fan which transferred to me. I think The Poseidon Adventure is one of the first 'adult' movies we ever saw. I remember being awed by that wall of water coming toward the ship.

Disaster Films - interesting. I think I like Titanic and Deep Impact the best out of all of these. 2012 drove my "realistic" husband crazy so I sat listening to his comments throughout the movie - "No, that's just wrong by all the laws of physics." - and that sort of thing. It was a beautiful film for CGI, as long as we all remember it's a fantasy movie.I think it's humorous that you listed Dante's Peak and Alex agreed with you . . . I just used that examples as a worst story example for my writing class - no offense meant, I haven't seen it in a long time and all I remember was how slow it seemed. I live in Washington, and when the ash from Mt. St. Helen's fell, it felt otherworldly, but for some reason the build up didn't seem as slow as it did in Dante's Peak.

Again, no offense meant - not all of us see the same thing in movies, and maybe I'm misremembering it.

Any disaster film is better if I watch it with my wife. She provides the ambiance that draws me into the action and terror. In fact, everyone else around us shares in the experience. When Alien (not a disaster film but...) was first released, we watched it at the Academy theater in Beverly Hills and she almost ended up in the lap of the man sitting behind us. I'm certain that at least one of the film's producers was there and knew he had a hit on his hands when he saw her reaction.

I have to admit Al that disaster films aren't my favourite types of genre because they possibly hit too close to home with the fears I have or something similar. I have to watch 2012 now, just to see what they predict in the film was going to happen.

Hey Lee! I'm actually not into disaster films at all. If a movie has a huge disaster, or a bunch of people are killed, (by the disaster or by another human) then I'll probably never watch it...that being said, I loved Titanic!! It's the only one on the list I've seen.I thought the effects were awesome. It played in our little local theatre here for FIVE months back in '97! I love your theme Lee. I'm still themeless and at this point will probably remain that way.

I love your choices and we just watched Dante's Peak (which for some reason cracks me up) two nights ago on TV! One movie my husband and I love is Independence Day. In fact, we watch it every night and go to sleep to it. When it ends, my husband wakes up and puts it back on. We used to do this with The Day after Tomorrow, which is directed by the same guy who did 2012, I believe. best wishes,Jean Yates

I've only seen Armaggedon and 2012 on your list. I've studiously avoided Titanic and plan never to see it, after how all the teenyboppers went ape over it when I was in high school. I'm also bothered by the massive list of historical inaccuracies and anachronisms I've seen.

People do seem to love a good disaster movie. I know I do. What does that say about we humans? Huh. I think we like to see SOMEONE beat incredible odds and win in the end. If everyone died it would be a horror show. No one would like it. I only watched Titanic once. Knowing that it was based on a True Story was just devastating for me. It made it More Real. I had nightmares about it for a week after I watched it. All of those frozen bodies in the water...

In my nightmares, I kept trying to come up with ways to save them... up to and including manifesting pool toys for them to get on so that they could get out of the water. I am way too empathetic to watch that movie EVER again. When it came out in 3D? I took a pass. It was a great film, though.

Loved your post Lee! I'm still scarred from the giant tsunami scene from "Deep Impact" - scared the crap outta me - for some reason, that would be the most terrifying way to go - to see a wall of water coming at you that swallows your world in one giant gulp! I'm a new follower and would like to thank you personally for paving the way for the rest of us - words cannot describe how thoughtful your actions are:) Cheers!Samhttp://writerlysam.wordpress.com

I've always wondered, should a movie like Transformers 2 be considered a disaster movie, or an alien invasion movie? Because truth be told, it was a movie-making disaster. And they did manage to wreck an entire city.

HAHA! Most of these are a little too dumb for my taste, but they are great when I'm in the mood for mindless fun. I am a little upset that what used to be my beloved Sci-Fi channel is now overrun with disaster movies, creature movies, and wrestling now. At least there's BBC America. :)

Deep Impact is my go-to disaster movie when I'm feeling like crap! As odd as it sounds, it makes me feel better because it helps me to put things into perspective. By the end of the movie I'm thinking, "Well, at least my life isn't as horrible as all that."

I'd count any films that involve a great amount of destruction to fit in a disaster movie category, but they can also it other categories as well. I do prefer historical accuracy when a film is based on real events, but great special effects definitely win me over. Thanks for these comments and film suggestions.

Hi Lee. Visiting from the blog challenge. I remember watching several of these films, but remember very little of the details. Disaster films have never been my favorite genre, but I did love Maureen McGovern singing "There's Got to be a Morning After" in Poseidon Adventure. I think I was probably in junior high when that came out.

Of those you've mentioned I'd say Titanic is the best. And I never saw the original Poseidon (didn't even know that the recent was a remake) but I agree that the 21st century Poseidon was not great except for good lookin' Josh Lucas. I like disaster movies and believe that the upcoming films Oblivion and AfterEarth will be among my favs.

Enjoyed them all, personal favorite would be Armageddon, loved the quirky characters and sobbed my heart out when Bruce Willis stayed on the rock. Bruce is a secret weakness, well not so secret anymore, really liking your A to Z, thanks a lot:)

I love disaster movies. The original Poisedon Adventure was a really great movie I've seen many times. I fell asleep during 2012, so I'll have to catch that one again. Your other picks are great, too, but I've never seen a Godzilla movie. Maybe for family movie night. i keep saying that don't I?

The first disaster movie I saw was The Towering Inferno (I was 12. For the next few years I saw every thing that came to our small town theater but none of the disaster movies I saw after that was as good. Thanks for all your work on A-Z!Donna at Donna's New Day

Thank you for more comments. I guess I need to add Towering Inferno to my Netflix queue--not positive that I ever saw it. I don't consider disaster films to portray violence in the same sense of humans killing each other. Would Godzilla be violent on the same par of say a film like Scarface?

Some great picks in your list. My favourite disaster films are actually the ones released before the era of CGI and amazing special effects - and watching them NOW! I am either amazed by the 'ahead of their era' quality or giggle at the 'oh it's just dreadfully outdated"!!

One a side note, thanks for creating such a fun initiative for us all! It's my first year and I'm thoroughly enjoying it!

Are you taking over where Roger Ebert left off? Which one was better Armageddon or Deep Impact? Always thought it strange they made the exact same movie at the same time. Have you seen Knowing? Can't wait for more movie reviews!

I love disaster movies. A lot of the ones you listed are my favorites too. The Day After Tomorrow, Deep Impact, Armageddon, Titanic, Dante's Peak and 2012! I have them all on DVD. The only one you're missing of my favorites is Independence Day. Unless you're saving that for Alien Invasion movies.

@ Jeremy, Open Water is actually a true story. Of course they changed the ending in the movie version. In the real life version the ending is actually a happier one. Go figure! I did enjoy the movie though.

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